Electromagnetic relay



Nov. 11, 1958 H. P. sTocK 2,860,206

ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY Filed June 25', 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOK. #02047; ZSfoeZ.

#TTOPYNE/ Nov. 11, 1958 H. P. STOCK ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed June 25, 1956 INVENTOR. flow/474 )7 52 067? United States Patent ELECTROMAGNETIC RELAY Howard P. Stock, Brookfield, Wis., assignor to Square D Company, Detroit, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Application June 25, 1956, Serial No. 593,443

10 Claims. (Cl. 200104) This invention relates to a relay and more particularly to a lightweight, compact, easily assembled and disassembled control relay.

The object of the present invention is the provision of a compact relay composed of preformed individual components easily assembled in interlocking relationship to develop the relay of the present invention.

Another object of the present invention is the provision of a relay composed of easily assembled components with the components designed for interchangeability and for modification for changing the electrical ratings or duty operations of the relay.

A further object of the present invention is the pro vision of a simple mounting arrangement for the contacts both stationary and movable of the relay of the present invention.

A further object of the present invention is the provision of a relay which may be easily mounted and may be disassembled through easy manipulation of its mounting means from the front of the relay in a minimum of operating space.

Further objects and features of the invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the specifications and appended drawings illustrating a certain preferred embodiment in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the relay of the present invention. a

Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the components constituting the relay of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an inverted front elevational view of the contact carrier of the present invention having a portion broken away to show details of support.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken along the lines IVIV of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken along the lines VV of Figure 3.

The relay, as shown in Figure 1, constitutes a compact assembly of individual components as shown in exploded perspective in Figure 2 wherein the relay 1 is composed of a base plate 2 having a raised central area 3 and pierced side areas 4 through which suitable mounting screws may pass to mechanically mount the relay in place. A pair of internally threaded sleeve-like mounting members 5 are secured to the channel 3 on the base plate 2 by swedged-over ends thereof extending through suitable cutouts in the channel portion 3. A sheet of insulating material 6 suitably pierced to pass over the mounting members 5 separates the mounting bracket 2 from the components of the relay device constituting a pair of similarly formed support and guide members 7 and 8, a relay core and coil 9 and a relay armature and movable contact support 11 which, when assembled, constitute the relay device as shown in Figure 1.

The support and guide members 7 and 8 are formed of molded insulating material and constitute a complex molding adapted for the accommodation of various extending portions of both the relay core and coil assembly 2,860,206 Patented Nov. 11, 1958 ICC 9 and the armature and movable contact carrier assembly 11. Stationary contacts are supported at the exterior surfaces on sidewardly extending shoulders 14 having an integrally molded shoulder or barrier 15 separating the pair of stationary contact carriers 16 and 17. The contact carriers 16 and 17 support at one end the stationary contacts 18 and 19 and at the other end are provided with suitable connector accommodating terminals 21 and 22 and are held in place as by screws 23 extending through the shoulders 14 from the opposite side and threaded into tapped holes provided in the contact carriers themselves. At the center and to one end of the support and guide members 7 and 8, a shoulder 24 is provided having a central groove 25, to be more fully explained hereinafter, and cylindrical-like side slots 26 in alignment with holes extending entirely through the molded insulating support and guide. At opposite sides of the central groove 25 a pair of alignment devices constituting an integrally molded pin 27 and a cylindrical hole 28 are provided and adapted for the accommodation of the same components in reverse position from the upper support and guide to function in an aligning fashion for the two halves of this relay component. With the aligning members in place and properly aligned a pair of mounting screws 29 may be inserted in the holes in alignment with the recesses 26 and in the recesses 31 at the exterior surface of this support and guide. to pass through the assembly of the two halves into cooperating alignment with the internal threads in the mounting members 5 on the mounting plate 2.

The relay core and coil assembly as shown in Figure 2 constitutes an E-shaped core 32 having a pair of outside legs 33 and 34 and the conventional internal leg 35 about which is positioned a pre-wrapped and sealed relay coil36 having a central excavation for the accommodation of the central leg 35 of the relay core. Shading coils 37 are provided on each of the exterior legs of the relay core to function in the conventional manner as is well understood in the alternating current relay art.

Cooperating with the core and coil assembly is the armature and contact carrier assembly 11 constituting a T-shaped relay armature 38 having a crossbar with ends 39 and 41 in cooperating alignment with the legs 33 and 34 of the core and a central leg 42 extending into the central recess of the relay coil 36. Pivotally supported on the relay armature, as by a pin 40 extending generally through the juncture of the leg and crossbar of the T of the armature, is a movable contact support 43 of original two-part construction so that it may be positioned about a pin to accommodate the pivotable mounting. The movable contact support 43 is of bar-like construction and is adapted toaccommodate at least one or a pair of contact carriers 49 to the outward edges of the carrier. A spring biasing arrangement is provided for the movable contact support and relay armature assembly, to be more fully explained in operation hereinafter, and constitutes an H-shaped plate 44 operating within the interior of a U-shaped spring guide 45 which is fixed to the movable contact support adjacent to the junction of the bar and leg of the T of the armature with a rivet 50 extending through its legs and through the movable contact support halves to seal the halves together as an integral unit. Within the U of the spring guide and be tween the bight of the U and the crossbar of the H- shaped biasing member a spring 46 is provided and aligned by suitable guiding portions, not specifically shown, both at the bight of the U-shape and at the bar of the H-shape.

The outward portion of the movable contact support 43 is molded with slots for the accommodation of the movable contact carriers 49 as is more particularly shown aseaaoe in Figures 3 through 5. The molded slots 47 are provided with internal recesses at 48 for the accommodation of formed jogs in the movable contact carriers 49 to function as an aligning arrangement therefor. A biasing spring 51 operates between the interior surfaces of both of the movable contact carriers 49, in Figure 5, to press the contact carriers 49 against the internal recesses 48 in the slots 47 of the movable contact support 43 so as to be securely held in place and both easily and readily removed for inspection or replacement.

The molded support and guide members 7 and 8, the core and coil assembly 9 and armature assembly 11 are provided with cooperating slots and extending portions for the alignment of the separate components into the assembly constituting the relay of this invention. Each of the aligning portions of the devices nests with the other to accommodate the elements into a compact unit whereby the whole device maybe held together by the mounting screws 29 extending through the two parts of the support and guide 7 and 8. In this fashion, the legs of the U-shape of the spring guide 45 rest on the surface 25 formed by the slot within the raised portion 24 of the support and guide 7 and 8 and the legs of the H-shaped guide 44 nest into slots 61 at the inner edges and at the base of the shoulder 24. The C-shaped contour of the movable contact support 43, as shown in Figure 2, aligns itself with the exterior surface of the shoulder 24 with the legs of the C surrounding the shoulder and the body of the C resting on the surfaces 62 of the support and guide. In this manner the movable contact carriers 49 will be aligned with the stationary contact carriers 16 and 17 and will have their associated contacts in cooperating alignment with the stationary contacts 18 and 19. The crossbar of the T-shape of the relay armature will have its ends extending through the support and guide in a molded recess defined by sides 63, 64 and 65 with the ends 39 and 41 aligned adjacent to holes 66, extending through the upper and lower surfaces of the upper and lower support and guide and held against lateral displacement along the surfaces 62. With the upper support and guide 7 in place, the armature assembly is securely maintained within the assembled relay.

The core and coil assembly is also provided with mating surfaces cooperating with corresponding surfaces on the support and guide and is positioned in place prior to the positioning of the upper support and guide 7. The core and coil assembly 9 is aligned with the central leg 42 of the armature and movable contact support assembly 11 aligned in the central hole of the coil 36 and the legs 33 and 34 are aligned, respectively, with the support and guide 7 and 8 in a manner whereby the external groove 67 in the core laminations is aligned between the interior surfaces of the molding of the support and guide and the molded recess 68 adjacent to the opening 66. With the support and guide aligned with the grooves 67 of the armature legs 33 and 34 and secured to the base plate 2 by the mounting screws 2? the entire assembly of core, coil, armature and movable contact support will be securely held in place as in the assembled view of Figure l.

The relay of the present invention operate in a substantially conventional fashion with the relay coil 36 being energized from some external source attached to terminals, only one of which is shown, at 71 on the relay coil. Energization of the relay coil attracts the armature 42 to carry with it, against the bias of spring 46, the movable contact carrier 43 to change the stable condition of the stationary and movable contacts from their former normally closed to a normally opened or from a former normally opened to a normally closed position. It should be readily understood that the relay, while shown having a pair of normally closed contacts and a pair of normally opened contacts, may be provided with any combination of normally opened and normally closed contacts, and mayhave more than just the pair of pairs of contacts at each side.

It should be noted from Figure 3 that the position of the movable contacts in the movable contact support 43 and the construction of the slots supporting and aligning the movable contact carriers 49 is such that a wiping action is effected in the engagement and the disengagement of the contacts. The slots 48 for the accommodation of the movable contact carriers 49 are at an angle to the generally parallel surfaces of the stationary contact carrier 16 and 17 so that as the movable contacts are engaged with the stationary contacts they must rotate into a parallel alignment with the stationary contact carriers. When the energization of the 'relay coil 36 has been removed the armature and stationary contact carrier unit 11 will be returned to its static position by the bias of spring 46 operating against the H-shaped member 44 having its fixed position in the support and guide.

Movement of the movable contact support with the armature of the relay mechanism is limited in its travel toward the relay core by the engagement of the face of the armature legs 39 and 41 with the face of the legs 33 and 34, respectively, of the core. The coil 36 is of particular construction being impregnated with plastic or the like during molding to develop a hard, wear resistant surface thereby being substantially unbreakable and impenetrable to water or oil. This construction of the coil allows for cooler operation and eliminates the need for non-ferrous coil guides and supports normally associated with electromagnetic sections of relays of this general type and use.

The relay of the present invention i provided with a means for ease of assembly and disassembly from a mounted position through the removal of only two mounting screws maintaining the relay in its assembled condition. The mounting screws and the relay are further provided with an arrangement for maintaining the screws within the stationary contact carrier 7 even when disengaged from the mounting members 5 constituting a pair of fingered washers 73 initially positioned within the recesses 31. The washers 73 maintain the mounting screws 29 within the support and guide 7 by cooperation with a plate 74 mounted by screw 75 extending into a threaded engagement with an exterior surface of a support and guide. The plate 74 may also function as a name plate or service duty designator for the relay in that it will be retained with the relay so long as the relay performs the function for which it was originally designed. Each of the attachment screws for the accommodation of circuit conductors connecting various load devices to the relay of the present invention are provided in an easily accessible position along both sides of the stationary contact carriers for the relay and the terminals to which the energization for the relay coil 36 will be attached are equally as accessible at the exterior of the relay.

While a certain preferred embodiment in the invention has been specifically disclosed it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto as many variations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the invention is to be given its broadest possible interpretation Within the terms of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A relay comprising an assembly of nesting components constituting, a base member, a first support and guide member, a second support and guide member, first mating surfaces on each of said support and guide members, means extending through said first mating surfaces for securing said support and guide members to said base member, an electromagnetic actuator including a core and a coil, an armature electromagnetically associated with said actuator, a second mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said armature being supported between said first and second support and guide members in slideable engagement with said second mating surfaces, a third mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said actuator being supported between said first and second support and guide members by engagement with said third mating surfaces and operatively associated with said armature, means on said second and third mating surfaces for interlocking with said armature and actuator respectively, and said components being maintained in supported and interlocking assembly by said means passing through said first mating surfaces.

2. A relay comprising an assembly of nesting components constituting a base member, a first support and guide member, a second support and guide member, first mating surfaces on each of said supporting and guide members, means extending through said first mating surface for securing said support and guide members to said base member, an electromagnetic actuator including a core and a coil, an armature electromagnetically associated with said actuator, a second mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said armature being supported between said first and second support and guide members in slideable engagement with said mating surfaces, a third mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said coil being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said third mating surfaces, a fourth mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said core being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said fourth mating surfaces, means on said second and fourth mating surfaces for interlocking with said armature and core respectively, said coil being maintained in engagement with said third mating surfaces, by said interlocking means on said second and fourth mating surfaces, and said components being maintained in supported and interlocking assembly by said means passing through said first mating surfaces.

3. A relay comprising an assembly of nesting components constituting, a base member, a first support and guide member, a second support and guide member, first mating surfaces on each of said support and guide members, means extending through said first mating surface for securing said support and guide members to said base member, an electromagnetic actuator including a core and a coil, an armature electromagnetically associated with said actuator, a second mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said armature being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said second mating surfaces, a biasing means supported on said armature, means on said biasing means engaging said first and second support and guide members and being operative to position said slideably supported armature on said second mating surfaces, a third mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said actuator being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said third mating surfaces, means on said second and third mating surfaces for interlocking with said armature and actuator respectively, and said components being maintained and supported in aninterlocking assembly by said means passing through said first mating surfaces.

4. A relay comprising an assembly of nesting components constituting, a base member, a first support and guide member, a second support and guide member, first mating surfaces on each of said support and guide members, means extending through said first mating surface for securing said support and guide members to said base member, shoulders extending from each of said first and second support and guide members, stationary contacts fixed to said shoulders, an electromagnetic actuator including a core and a coil, an armature electromagnetically associated with said actuator, and a movable contact carrier fixed to said armature, a second mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said armature and movable contact carrier being supported between said first and second support and guide members in slideable engagement with said second mating surfaces, movable contacts supported on said movable contact carrier in cooperating alignment with said stationary contacts, a third mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said actuator being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said third mating surfaces, means on said second and third mating surfaces for interlocking with said armature and actuator respectively, said movable contacts being movable into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts upon energization and deenergization of said actuator, and said components being maintained in sup ported and interlocking assembly by said means passing through said first mating surfaces.

5. A relay comprising an assembly of nesting components constituting, a base member, a first support and guide member, a second support and guide member, first mating surfaces on each of said support and guide members, means extending through said first mating surface for securing said support and guide members to said base member, shoulders extending from each of said fisrt and second support and guide members, stationary contacts fixed to said shoulders, an electromagnetic actuator including a core and a molded self-supporting coil having a hard, wear-resistant substantially impenetrable exterior, an armature electromagnetically associated with said actuator, and a movable contact carrier fixed to said armature, a second mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said armature and stationary contact carrier being supported between said first and second support and guide members in slideable engagement with said second mating surfaces, movable contacts supported on said movable contact carrier in 00- operating alignment with said stationary contacts, a third mating surface on each of said first and second support and guide members, said core being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said third mating surfaces, fourth mating surfaces on said support and guide members, said coil being supported between said first and second support and guide members in engagement with said fourth mating surfaces and contiguous to said core, means on said second and third mating surfaces for interlocking with said armature and core respectively, said movable contacts being movable into and out of engagement with said stationary contacts upon energization and deenergization of said actuator, and said contacts being maintained in supported and interlocking assembly by said means passing through said first mating surfaces.

6. A relay comprising a pair of mating molded insulation support and guide members, a magnet core and operating coil assembly interlockable with the positioned and supported by said members in interlocking relation with said coil assembly, an armature and movable contact assembly interlockable with and positioned and supported by said members when said members are in interlocking relation with said contact assembly, stationary contacts mounted on said members in position to be engaged by the movable contacts of said assembly, and means for holding said members together in the interlocking positioning and supporting relation with said core, operating coil and armature and movable contact assembly.

7. A relay comprising; a base, a pair of molded mating insulation support and guide members, a magnet core and operating ,coil assembly interlockable with and positioned and supported by said members when said members are in interlocking relation with the assembly, an armature and movable contact assembly interlockable with and positioned and supported by said members when said members are in interlocking relation with said armature and contact assembly, stationary contacts mounted on said members in position to be engaged by the movable the relay on the bore as Well as holding said members together in mating engagement.

8. A relay comprising a pair of molded mating insulation support and guide members, a magnet core and operating coil assembly interlockable with and positioned and supported by said members When said members are in interlocking relation with said assembly, an armature and movable contact assembly supported on said members in interlocking relation, stationary contacts mounted on said members in position to be engaged by the movable contacts of said assembly, a spring guide mounted on said armature assembly and movably guided in said members, a guide plate slidably interlocked With said spring guide and interlocked and positioned and supported in stationary relation by said members when said members are in interlocking relation with the guide, spring means carried by the guide and bearing against said plate to bias the armature and movable contact assembly into deenergized position, and means for holding said members together and in the interlocked and supporting'relation.

9. A relay comprising a pair of molded insulation support and guide members, a magnet core and operating coil supported on said members in interlocking relation, an armature and movable contact assembly supported on said members in interlocking relation, stationary contacts mounted on said members in position to be engaged by the movable contacts of said assembly, a spring guide mounted on said assembly and movably guided in said members, a guide plate slidably interlocked with said spring guide and mounted in stationary relation by said members, spring means carried by the guide and bearing against said plate to bias the armature and movable contacttassembly into deenergized position, means for holding said members together in supporting relation, said means including a stud and sleeve nut combination extending through both said members and serving to mechanically mount the relay as well as holding said members together.

10. A relay comprising a rear molded insulation support member, a complementary front molded insulation support member, a magnet core supported by and between said members by cooperating interlocking portions on said members and core, an energizing coil supported on said core, an armature and movable contact assembly supported by said members for translating motion into and out of coil energized positions, said contact assembly including insulating portions extending beyond said members at the sides thereof, movable contacts mounted in said insulating portions, stationary contacts mounted on the sides of said members in position to be engaged by said movable contacts, biasing means for said arm-ature and movable contact assembly, mounted thereon, and including parts stationary With members and movable with the assembly, a supporting plate, and means passing directly through both said members and engaged with the plate to hold the members together in interlocking supporting relation with said core, operating coil and arma ture and movable contact assembly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,046,272 Larson et a1 June 30, 1936 2,561,450 Russell July 24, 1951 2,565,467 Besag et al. Aug. 28, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,860,206 November ll,v 1958 Howard P a Stock It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 32 after "surfaces" strike out the comma; column 6, line 55, for "the positioned" read and positioned line 56, after "members" insert when said members are e Signed and sealed this 24th day of February 1959 (SEAL) Attest:

KARL Ha AXLINE Attesting Oflicer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,860,206 November 11,. 1958 Howard Po Stock It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 5, line 32 after "surfaces" strike out the comma; column 6, line 55, for "the positioned" read and positioned line 56, after "members insert When said members are Signed and sealed this 24th day of February 1959.

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL H0 AXLINE ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents Attesting Officer 

